"Charmed" star Alyssa Milano will be on hand to greet fans from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Fort Bliss East's new Freedom Crossing mall, the same day the post's new 10-screen movie theater, The Grand at Fort Bliss, will open.
Milano's appearance is part of a two-day "Celebrate What's New at Freedom Crossing" festival to promote several openings at the new open-air shopping and lifestyle center, the first of its kind on a U.S. military installation, on the expanded post.
The 35,000-square foot theater, which has digital projection systems in all 10 of its auditoriums, will have a number of promotions and giveaways to mark its Nov. 5 debut.
Titles haven't been confirmed, but some of the giveaways may provide clues, including free "Due Date" (filmed partially in Las Cruces) hats to the first 100 ticket holders on Nov. 5, "Megamind" t-shirts to the first 100 ticketholders on Nov. 6 (plus fake tattoos and other stuff from 1-3 p.m.).
The theater is operated by Southern Theatres of New Orleans, which has 278 screens in nine states. It features high-back, stadium-style rockers, Coke products, Orville Redenbacher popcorn.
The theater, which can seat up to 1,600, will employ 70 people, according to Jodi Pine, Southern's marketing director.
It also will be accessible to civilians, who must get a day pass to get on the post. To do so, you have to take a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and registration to the Robert E. Lee gate office, or you can go to bliss.army.mil, click on "e-passes," and fill out the required information. If you are approved for a pass, it will be e-mailed to you.
Pine said that $1 from the sales of concession combos sold between Nov. 5-18 will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Milano, who got her big break on TV's "Who's the Boss?," will pose for pictures and sign autographs at the new mall.
Her appearance follows a 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting to mark the opening of the theater as well as several other new businesses there, including the Smashburger (which opened Oct. 25), Buffalo Wild Wings (opened Oct. 27), Arby's, Val Verde and Sarku Japan restaurants, GameStop, the Exchange, Junga Juice and Einstein Bros. Bagels.
She'll be followed by a concert at 7 p.m. by the band Overton Road.
The children's play area will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Nov. 6, with a family fair from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. that day.
All of those events are free.
Freedom Crossing's website lists a TBA appearance by DJ Pauly D of "Jersey Shore" notoriety for Nov. 6, but doesn't mention any other details.
The theater is located at 1619 Pleasonton, on the east side of the road, across from the Exchange and near the intersection with Pike Road.
Its website is thegrandtheatres.com.
The mall's site is freedomcrossingatfortbliss.com. Its number is 720.529.2811.
Unless something has changed recently, for civilians to get on post you have to have valid ID, proof of insurance AND a copy of your vehicle registration as well.
Posted by: Rob | October 28, 2010 at 10:38 AM
That is correct. According to an email from a post spokesman, you have to take a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and registration to the office at the Robert E. Lee gate in order to get a day pass. Or you can go to bliss.army.mil, click on the "e-passes" prompt and fill out the required information. If approved, the pass will be e-mailed to you and valid at any open gate on post. I am adding this information to the blog post above.
Posted by: Doug Pullen | October 28, 2010 at 01:13 PM
Thanks for that additional info Doug..I did not know about the e-passes option, that makes it much more convenient. If you have ever had to go through the process at the gate, you will greatly appreciate this feature.
Posted by: Rob | October 28, 2010 at 08:58 PM
Freedom Crossing personnel announced during Alyssa Milano appearance that only military personnel or those with a current military id would be allowed to get autographs or pix with Alyssa. Ft. Bliss should have made this announcement before her appearance, since many people had been waiting in line for over one hour for a chance to get an autograph or pix with Alyssa. Many individuals, not being military left the line disappointed at this late announcement. Even though this was an event for the military, the El Paso civilian population had been invited through the news media.
Posted by: Victor | November 07, 2010 at 03:37 PM
Victor: I am sorry to hear that. I did not know that. It was not pointed out to me by Bliss officials I spoke with. I did ask about the accessibility issue and was given info about how to get day passes at the Lee gate office and online. I was told that civilians could not make purchases at the PX or other retail stores (though they can go in with authorized personnel as guests), but they can make purchases at the movie theater and restaurants. There was no info given about a military-only policy on the Milano appearance. I'm guessing it was an oversight, but I'll see what I can find out.
Posted by: Doug Pullen | November 08, 2010 at 10:56 AM